The Current population in Cuba is 11 million. As a comparison, 8.1 million people live in New York City.
The capital city of Cuba is LaHavana where 2,000 people live.
The main religion in Cuba is Catholicism, making up 47% of the population, although many who are Catholic are also Santería.
The official language of Cuba is Spanish.
Major Cuba exports include sugar, nickel, tobacco, shellfish, medical products, citrus, and coffee. Oil refineries is one of the major industries in Cuba, but they continue to import oil.
The monetary system is Peso Cubano
Ethnic groups of Cuba and percentages: white 65.1%, mulatto and mestizo 24.8%, black 10.1%
Geography
The Cuban climate is mild Tropical
The temperature is between 20C and 35C sometimes going below 10C
Cuba has everything from swamps to lowlands to vast mountain ranges and even beaches
Cuba's tropical climate allows it to be able to produce a wide variety of citrus fruits
History
When Columbus arrived in 1492 there were 3 tribes, the Tainos, the Ciboneys, and the Guanajatabeyes. The original group in Cuba was the Guanajatabeyes. They lived in caves and gathered berries and other food. They rarely came into contact with the Spanish because they lived on the west side of the island. The largest indigenous group was the Tainos. The Tainos captured the Ciboneys as slaves. Even though the Ciboneys were slaves to the Tainos, they were both from the same group of tribes, the Arawak.
In 1511 the Spanish began to colonize the Cuban islands. Leading the colonization was Diego Velázquez, who was a soldier in the Spanish army. Spain turned Cuba into a supply island for expeditions into Central and North America. After the 7 Years War, in 1763 Spain began to encourage more agriculture and loosened their grip on Cuba's indigenous populations. This all changed in 1830 when Spain again took power over Cuba and created much resentment in the people that lived there. This led to the revolution of Cuba.
The leader of this revolt was the revolutionary Carlos Manuel de Céspedes. He and his fellow revolutionaries proclaimed independence in 1868. For ten years following their proclamation, the natives and Spain struggled for control of Cuban land. In 1878 a truce was made between the Cubans and the Spanish. This truce gave many more powers and rights to the natives of Cuba.
Government/Current Political Situation
Cuba is a Communist Country
Raul Modesto Castro is the current leader of Cuba
He is Fidel Castro's brother and took power after Fidel Castro stepped down
Currently Cuba is in an economic recession due to Americas embargo on their trade
Some reports say that Cuba's economy is in shambles
Cuba does not have competition to improve their economy
In order for somebody to create a business the government must own 51% of it
Therefore nobody wants to invest in their businesses
Culture
Cubans enjoy foods that have black beans, garlic, and different colors of rice
Common sauces include ingredients such as: Olive oil and Garlic marinades
Milk products are not very common in Cuba
The two most popular sports in Cuba are baseball and boxing
In Cuba there are only 7 public holidays: Christmas, New Years, Liberation day, the Aniversery of the Victory of the Armed Forces, International Labor Day, the Days of Rebelliousness, and Independence Day
Some of the popular types of music in Cuba are salsa, son, rumba, mambo, and cha-cha-cha
Cuban art developed from a combination of African, European, and North American art
After the Cuban revolution many artists were sent into exile because art wasn't excepted
Tourism
1. Cuba's Dolphinarium is located near Varadero, a resort town in the Matanzas province of Cuba. The Dolfinarium consists of a pool that has 4 dolphin shows a day. Each show contains air and aquatic acrobatics. Sometimes they will even allow you to swim with the dolphins.
2 The Bellamar Caves in Cuba are located close to the resort town of Varadero. The caves consist of large caverns and tunnels going down 100 feet. Many crystal rock formations, including huge stalactites, are a common sight in these caves. Inside the caves you are encouraged to drink from "The Fountain of Youth".
3. Varadero is a resort town 90 miles from Havana. Varadero has over 15,000 hotels on its peninsula. Most of them sit on the beach.
Current Events 2/18/2012
1. Cuba has recently developed and installed 30 new solar panels that will produce up to 70 kilowatts of electricity per day. This is enough to power 50 standard American homes. Because of Cuba's Sub Tropical climate they have the potential to produce a significant amount of energy through solar power in the future. This could help Cuba economically and environmentally.
2/10/2012
2. PetroCaribe is expanding its oil refineries in Cuba. These refineries are located in Santiago de Cuba and in Cienfuegos. One statement says that one of the refineries will increase its oil output by 150,000 barrels. While this will improve the amount of oil that Cuba produces, they will still have to import oil to satisfy the country's needs.
General Information
Geography
History
When Columbus arrived in 1492 there were 3 tribes, the Tainos, the Ciboneys, and the Guanajatabeyes. The original group in Cuba was the Guanajatabeyes. They lived in caves and gathered berries and other food. They rarely came into contact with the Spanish because they lived on the west side of the island. The largest indigenous group was the Tainos. The Tainos captured the Ciboneys as slaves. Even though the Ciboneys were slaves to the Tainos, they were both from the same group of tribes, the Arawak.
In 1511 the Spanish began to colonize the Cuban islands. Leading the colonization was Diego Velázquez, who was a soldier in the Spanish army. Spain turned Cuba into a supply island for expeditions into Central and North America. After the 7 Years War, in 1763 Spain began to encourage more agriculture and loosened their grip on Cuba's indigenous populations. This all changed in 1830 when Spain again took power over Cuba and created much resentment in the people that lived there. This led to the revolution of Cuba.
The leader of this revolt was the revolutionary Carlos Manuel de Céspedes. He and his fellow revolutionaries proclaimed independence in 1868. For ten years following their proclamation, the natives and Spain struggled for control of Cuban land. In 1878 a truce was made between the Cubans and the Spanish. This truce gave many more powers and rights to the natives of Cuba.
Government/Current Political Situation
Culture
Tourism
1. Cuba's Dolphinarium is located near Varadero, a resort town in the Matanzas province of Cuba. The Dolfinarium consists of a pool that has 4 dolphin shows a day. Each show contains air and aquatic acrobatics. Sometimes they will even allow you to swim with the dolphins.
2 The Bellamar Caves in Cuba are located close to the resort town of Varadero. The caves consist of large caverns and tunnels going down 100 feet. Many crystal rock formations, including huge stalactites, are a common sight in these caves. Inside the caves you are encouraged to drink from "The Fountain of Youth".
3. Varadero is a resort town 90 miles from Havana. Varadero has over 15,000 hotels on its peninsula. Most of them sit on the beach.
Current Events
2/18/2012
1. Cuba has recently developed and installed 30 new solar panels that will produce up to 70 kilowatts of electricity per day. This is enough to power 50 standard American homes. Because of Cuba's Sub Tropical climate they have the potential to produce a significant amount of energy through solar power in the future. This could help Cuba economically and environmentally.
2/10/2012
2. PetroCaribe is expanding its oil refineries in Cuba. These refineries are located in Santiago de Cuba and in Cienfuegos. One statement says that one of the refineries will increase its oil output by 150,000 barrels. While this will improve the amount of oil that Cuba produces, they will still have to import oil to satisfy the country's needs.
Book
PRENTICE HALL Realidades 1 (Purple Textbook)
Internet
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http://profe.benjaminearwicker.com/students/blog-main/cubas-indigenous-population.html
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http://www.cubadomainsforsale.com/cuban-foods.html
http://www.mapsofworld.com/cuba/sports-in-cuba.html
http://www.terrinart.com/cuban-styles-of-art/
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http://www.caribbeannewsnow.com/cuba.php?news_id=9786&start=0&category_id=5
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http://latindispatch.com/2010/03/31/u-s-investment-climate-in-cuba-still-unfavorable-experts-say/